Mine-harness.



PATENTED JAN. 23, 1906.

J. P. 6; R. S. STRATTON MINE HARNESS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 30, 1904.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH P. STRATTON AN D ROBERT S. STRATTON, OF SULLIVAN, INDIANA.

MINE-HARNESS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 23, 1906.

To a whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOSEPH P. STRATTON and ROBERT S. SrRArroN, citlzens of the United States, residing at Sullivan, in the county of Sullivan and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Mine-Harness, of which the following is a specification.

This invention, which relates to harness, has for its object the production of a pad adapted tobe worn on the hips of mules and other animals drawing loads underground.

Mules employed to haul coal or other material underground in mines are higher at the hips than at any other point, and the hips therefore first strike the roof or top of the vein. The purpose of the invention is to protect the animal from injury when coming into contact with such roof and to prolong the life of the harness.

The nature of the invention will be readily comprehended, reference being had to the following detailed description and to the accompanying drawing, in which is illustrated in plan view a mine-harness embodying our invention.

Referring to the drawing by letter, G denotes a pad of approximately rectangular form and made of leather sheets sewed together. Riveted or otherwise fastened to the pad are four chains H I J K, the chains H and J being disposed longitudinally of the pad and the chains I and K transversely thereof, and P is a fifth chain fastened to the pad and disposed parallel with the chains H il: iaind having end connection with the chains At the four corners of the pad are rings L M N O, to which the chains H, I, J, and K are connected. Fastened to and extending from the rings are leather straps A, B, O,'D, E, and c F, which are adapted to be attached to the trace-chains and swingletrees, and thereby hold the pad in position on the hips of the animal.

The employment of the chains connecting the rings permits flexibility in the pad, which thus conforms to the shape of the part of the animal on which it is fastened. The chains are preferably flat and loose-linked and are not easily bent or detached from the pad. Obviously the chains perform the additional function of resisting wear of the pad.

We claim as our invention- 1. In a harness attachment, the combination of a flexible substantially rectangular pad, a ring at each corner of the pad, chains connecting said rings and fastened to the pad, and straps fastened to the rings and adapted to be connected with the whiffletree or traces to hold the pad in position.

2. In a harness attachment, the combination of a flexible substantially rectangular pad, a ring secured to each corner thereof, longitudinal and transverse chains superimposed on said pad and connecting said rings, a longitudinal chain connecting the centers of said transverse chains, with straps fastened to said rings and connected with the whiffletree or traces whereby the latter are supported and the pad held in position.

JOSEPH P. STRATTON. ROBT. S. STRATTON. Witnesses:

ARTHUR E. DE BAUN, CHARLES D. HUNT. 

